Why LED inserts are often the best choice for quality downlights
Many commercial buildings, offices, and public institutions are still equipped with high-quality downlights fitted with fluorescent tubes. The luminaire housings are often solid, well-designed, and integrated into the building's architecture. When these installations need to be upgraded to LED, it is far from always necessary – or sustainable – to replace the entire luminaire. In many cases, LED inserts are the best solution.
At Lumega, we regularly help customers upgrade existing downlights to modern LED technology using custom-made LED inserts. In many projects, the replacement itself takes less than 8 minutes per fixture, as shown in the video above. This makes LED inserts one of the fastest and least invasive ways to renovate lighting.
Recycling rather than replacement
One of the most significant advantages of LED inserts is sustainability. Replacing entire downlights results in unnecessary material consumption, waste, and CO₂ emissions. With LED inserts, the existing luminaire housings are retained, while the technical components are upgraded to efficient LEDs.
For companies focused on ESG and sustainability, Lumega offers fully documented CO₂ reports. The reports document how much CO₂ has been saved by reusing existing fixtures and can be used directly in annual reports, sustainability accounts, and ESG reporting.
Significant energy savings with minimal effort
Converting from fluorescent tubes to LED inserts typically achieves a minimum of 45% energy savings. In many cases, the savings are even higher, depending on operating time and control. The LED inserts are designed to function optimally in the existing luminaire, ensuring correct light distribution and high comfort.
Unlike temporary solutions, LED inserts are designed for long life and stable operation. This means fewer replacements, lower maintenance, and more predictable operation over time.
Flexible control options
Lumegas LED inserts for downlights come with several control options, so the solution can be tailored to each individual project. You can choose simple on/off solutions, wireless control via Casambi, or integration with Philips EasyAir sensors for presence and daylight control.
This means that LED inserts can be used in both simple renovation projects and more advanced smart lighting solutions – without changing the mechanical installation.
Designed for quality downlights
LED inserts are particularly suitable for high-quality downlights, where the optics and design of the luminaire are still relevant. Instead of forcing a standard solution into an existing luminaire, the LED insert is adapted to the geometry of the luminaire. This provides better glare control, uniform light, and a professional visual result.
Lumega can supply LED inserts for virtually all types of downlights. However, all projects start with a simple step: you send us a picture of the existing fixture. We then assess whether an LED insert is the right solution, both technically and financially, and provide honest feedback.
Project requirements and minimum numbers
Since LED inserts are supplied as a fully certified solution with CE marking and light laboratory reports, a minimum quantity is required. For downlights, the minimum is typically 50 units. This ensures that the costs of the CE process, documentation, and testing can be covered, while keeping the price per luminaire low.
A future-proof solution
LED inserts are not about choosing the cheapest solution here and now. It is about choosing a solution that provides energy savings, documented sustainability, and high light quality for many years to come.
For buildings with high-quality fluorescent downlights, LED inserts are often the most responsible and economically sensible route to modern lighting.
👉 If you are considering upgrading your downlights, start by sending us a photo to info@lumega.eu – and we will let you know if LED inserts are the right solution.